Fri. Nov 22nd, 2024

Setting Biblical Boundaries for Christian Dating

guy talking to girl

Have you ever read a Reader’s Digest?

I love the joke pages and they sometimes put funny jokes at the end of their articles (but I don’t have any jokes for this article, so if you’re expecting one…don’t.)

An article from the July/August issue of this year had an article called “Deadly Mind Traps: These Grisly Tales Reveal 5 Ways Our Instincts Often Steer Us Wrong.”

It talks about why we make “boneheaded” decisions during life-and-death situations. My favorite was the last one,
Redlining
.

A redline is the time, point, or deadline that should not be crossed.

The article gave three examples of redlines: the turnaround point when climbing a mountain, divers staying underwater past the limit of their dive table, and pilots descending a little lower than their minimum safe altitude looking for the runway.

The redline is the point where you should stop, but you inch past anyway. It’s the mentality of “a little farther won’t hurt,” or “I’m in control.” Except crossing the redline can get you killed.

We have redlines in our relationships. We may not care when we cross someone’s boundary but we feel the effect when someone breaks ours.

Like when someone stands a little too close. Or their gaze lingers, making you feel uncomfortable. Maybe someone touches your shoulder, a perhaps innocent gesture, but your relationship status doesn’t allow for physical contact of any kind. Perhaps a guy leans in for a kiss, but you’re not ready to take that step with him.

The redline is when someone actstoo familiar.

When someone breaches our redline, we feel it. And we don’t like it.

One of the best parts of being married is throwing “dating redlines” out the window. What was once “forbidden” is permissible and the rings on your fingers serve as visible redlines to the world that you are off-limits.

While dating, keep your redlines strong and don’t wander near them. If you are waiting to have sex when you are married, your redline should be no farther than kissing. Making-out needs to be off the table.

Wandering near the redline invites temptation and temptation mixed with hormones is a formula for regret.

And that’s no joke.

Bethany Jett is the author of, The Cinderella Rule, (Regal Publishing), youth minister and blogger.

Related Post

Leave a Reply

Related Podcasts

More News
When Was Hell Prepared?
When Was Hell Prepared?
What Is Spiritual Warfare?
What Is Spiritual Warfare?
The Greatest Spiritual War for the Future Is the Past, Present and Future
The Greatest Spiritual War for the Future Is the Past, Present and Future
Tucker Carlson Shares His Testimony: ‘I Was Mauled by a Demon’
Tucker Carlson Shares His Testimony: ‘I Was Mauled by a Demon’
Mike Signorelli Talks Demonic Possession, Oppression and Generational Curses
Mike Signorelli Talks Demonic Possession, Oppression and Generational Curses
A Night of Unity at Christ Church: Arabs and Jews Worship Jesus Together in Jerusalem
A Night of Unity at Christ Church: Arabs and Jews Worship Jesus Together in Jerusalem
Amanda Grace, Faith Leaders Host Prayer Night for the Trump Family
Amanda Grace, Faith Leaders Host Prayer Night for the Trump Family
Is Fear Stopping You from Fulfilling God’s Purpose in Your Life?
Is Fear Stopping You from Fulfilling God’s Purpose in Your Life?
Isaiah Saldivar’s Remarkable Message: ‘I Hear Chains Breaking’
Isaiah Saldivar’s Remarkable Message: ‘I Hear Chains Breaking’
Greg Locke: How Biblical Generosity Transforms Lives
Greg Locke: How Biblical Generosity Transforms Lives
previous arrow
next arrow
Shadow

Latest Videos
76.8K Subscribers
997 Videos
7.6M Views

Copy link